All 4 Uses

earnest
in
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
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Very infrequent tipsy men, swollen with the value of their opinions, engaged their companions in earnest and confidential conversation.†
Chpt 7 *

in earnest = serious; or in a serious manner
As the woman walked down between the rows of tables, Pete was at her shoulder talking earnestly, apparently in explanation.†
Chpt 14

earnestly = sincerely or seriously
"Yessir," he cried, with deep earnestness, as if someone disputed him.†
Chpt 18

earnestness = sincerity or seriousness
"Din' he insul' me?" asked the man earnestly.†
Chpt 18

earnestly = sincerely or seriously

Definitions:

(1) (earnest)
characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
Earnest can also be used as a name (variant spelling of Ernest), or to signify the seriousness of a pledge made (as when earnest money is included with an offer to purchase a home).